Sheet metal forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for forming sheet metal panels is provided. One embodiment generally includes a frame structure, a pair of laterally displaced longitudinal supports slidably interconnected with the frame structure, a forming assembly positioned along both of these supports, a plurality of screw rods extending between and threadably engaged with the supports, an advancing assembly positioned substantially about the central longitudinal axis of the frame, and a cutting assembly. The spacing between the supports is adjusted to accommodate for various widths of the sheet metal by rotating the screw rods which either draws the supports in or forces them out substantially the same distance. Sheet metal is then provided to the advancing assembly which engages and moves the sheet metal through the forming assembly. After the desired contour of the sheet metal is achieved by passing through the laterally displaced portions of the forming assembly, the cutting assembly cuts the sheet metal panel to the desired length.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to the field of sheet metal formingdevices and, more particularly, to a sheet metal forming device whichutilizes a forming assembly having laterally displaced portions forworking sheet metal into a desired configuration, an advancing assembly,positioned between such laterally displaced portions, for advancing thesheet metal through the forming assembly, and a width adjustmentassembly for modifying the width between such laterally displacedportions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of sheet metal in the construction industry for roofing and/orsiding material has long been known. One method of utilization comprisesforming panel sections of a desired length and width from a roll ofsheet metal in such a manner that a plurality of the panels may beinterconnected to provide a substantially continuous roofing or sidingsurface.

Various types of sheet metal forming machines have been devised toaddress the needs of the construction industry by providing for the massproduction of interconnectable sheet metal panels according to certainprescribed specifications. These machines typically have a framestructure which is sufficiently wide to allow various widths of sheetmetal to be advanced therethrough. Positioned within this framestructure and attached thereto in a variety of manners are a pluralityof laterally displaced roller assemblies. More particularly, a pair ofsubstantially vertically aligned upper and lower rollers aresuccessively positioned along two longitudinal and laterally displacedsupports within the frame structure. The contours of these upper andlower rollers successively change such that the longitudinal edgeportions of the sheet metal are gradually worked into the desiredconfiguration.

A significant disadvantage associated with the known devices is that therollers are used t onot only form the sheet metal, but are alsoconnected to and rotated by an appropriate drive source to draw thesheet metal through the successive pairs of rollers. Since these rollersare typically metal so as to be able to adequately perform formingoperations, the vertical spacing between each upper and lower rollermust be sufficiently small in order for the rollers to sufficiently gripthe sheet metal for advancement therethrough. More particularly, sincethere is metal-on-metal contact between the magnitude of frictionalforce required to advance the sheet metal, the vertically alignedrollers must be vertically separated less than the thickness of thesheet metal passing therethrough. Consequently, the sheet metal may,among other things, undergo an undesired deformation (i.e., a thinningof the sheet metal) in this region, subjecting the metal to increasedstresses which could induce cracking and thereby affecting the panel'sstructural integrity and durability.

As can be appreciated, not every application will require panel sectionsof the same size (length and width). For instance, size requirements mayvary from building to building. Moreover, panel size requirements withina single structure may in fact vary based upon the particular designbeing used (i.e., certain sections may need to be individually sized toaccommodate for a given design). In order to address this need, existingsheet metal forming machines have also incorporated a width adjustingdevice for altering the width between the laterally displaced pairs ofrollers. Additionally, such machines have also incorporated a cuttingassembly to cut the panel sections into a desired length.

Existing width adjusting devices typically have one of the pairs ofupper and lower rollers along the longitudinal supports remain laterallystationary. However, the oppositely-positioned succession of pairs ofupper and lower rollers may be extended or retracted relative to theother pairs by an appropriate mechanism. As can be appreciated, if theselaterally movable rollers are extended further away from their supportit can become more difficult to generate the required frictional forceto appropriately engage and move the sheet metal. Consequently, thesheet metal can advance at different rates through the succession ofrollers on opposite edges producing an unsatisfactory end product (i.e.,the sheet metal may become skewed relative to the rollers)

Thus, there is a need for a sheet metal forming device which reduces theamount of unwanted metal deformation and stresses within the sheet metalbeing formed. Moreover, there is a need for a sheet metal forming devicewhich is adjustable to accommodate for the formation of various widthsof sheet metal without adversely affecting forming operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention allows for the production ofinterconnectable sheet metal panels having a desired configuration in amanner which reduces the amount of unwanted metal deformationexperienced by such panels during the formation procedure. In thisregard, the present invention generally includes a frame structure, apair of laterally displaced forming devices for working the twolongitudinal edge portions of the sheet metal into a desiredconfiguration, and an advancing mechanism, positioned between thelaterally displaced forming devices, to move the sheet metal through theforming devices Since the forming devices do not move the sheet metal,less force may be exerted by the forming devices on the sheet metalwhich reduces the amount of unwanted metal deformation in these regions

Although a variety of forming devices may be used to appropriately workthe sheet metal, in one embodiment these forming devices are a pluralityof removably connected forming roller assemblies each of which comprisesan upper and substantially vertically aligned lower forming roller.Metal forming rollers are preferred since they possess a sufficienthardness to effectively work the longitudinal edge portions of the sheetmetal. Moreover, since a separate advancing mechanism is utilized, theseforming rollers may be freely rotatable, thereby eliminating the needfor any type of drive mechanism for rotating the rollers

At least one forming roller assembly is positioned on each of twolaterally displaced supports within the frame structure such that thesheet metal may pass therethrough to work the longitudinal edgeportions. Preferably a plurality of forming roller assemblies havingprogressively changing contours are positioned along each of the twolaterally displaced longitudinal supports to progressively work thelongitudinal edge portions into the desired shape.

The centrally located advancing mechanism allows for a reduction in theamount of force exerted on the longitudinal edge portions of the sheetmetal, which in turn reduces the amount of unwanted metal deformation inthese regions In one embodiment the advancing mechanism is positionedsubstantially about the central longitudinal axis of the framestructure. With this orientation, the sheet metal is uniformly advancedthrough the forming devices such that the potential for the developmentof steering problems (i.e., the sheet metal becoming twisted or skewedwithin the frame structure) is reduced.

In one embodiment, the advancing mechanism comprises a plurality ofupper drive rollers spaced longitudinally along the frame structure anda plurality of substantially vertically aligned and thus equally spacedlower drive rollers. The drive rollers are utilized such that the sheetmetal will be advanced through the entire frame structure to form thepanels. In another embodiment there are pairs of laterally spaced upperand lower drive rollers. Optional drive arrangements are possible, i.e.,either one roller/pair of rollers may be driven while the remainingrollers are synchronously driven therefrom by interconnecting systems oreach roller/pair of rollers may be separately driven.

The advancing mechanism assists in reducing unwanted metal deformationalong the sheet metal edges by reducing the amount of force applied bythe forming devices. In order to avoid introducing unwanted metaldeformation in the sheet metal by the advancing mechanism, sheet metalengaging materials may be utilized. In one embodiment a pliable orelastomeric cover is utilized over the drive rollers to engage the sheetmetal. A cover is advantageous as frictional engagement between thesheet metal and advancing mechanism is enhanced. Additionally, the coverdeforms varying amounts depending on the sheet metal thickness ratherthan introducing any unwanted metal deformation. Consequently, when acover is incorporated onto the outer surfaces of the upper and lowerdrive rollers, sufficient frictional force is applied to advance sheetmetal of various thicknesses.

In one embodiment of the present invention, various widths of sheetpanel sections may be formed. In this regard, the present inventiongenerally includes a frame structure, a pair of laterally displacedsupports or channels slidably interconnected with the frame structure,forming devices connected to each of these channels to work thelongitudinal edge portions of the sheet metal, a screw rod extendingbetween and threadably engaged with both channels, a mechanism forrotating the screw rod and an advancing mechanism. The ends of the screwrod are oppositely threaded such that rotation of the screw rod in onedirection draws the channels inwardly along the screw rod substantiallythe same distance, while rotation of the screw rod in the oppositedirection forces both channels outwardly along the screw rodsubstantially the same distance. Consequently, the width of thedisplaced forming devices may be adjusted to accommodate for the use ofdifferent widths of sheet metal without adversely affecting the formingoperations.

As can be appreciated, when the channels supporting the forming devicesare sufficiently long, it is desirable to utilize a plurality of screwrods spaced along such channels to avoid skew. In this case, theplurality of screw rods may be individually driven or only one screw rodmay be driven directly while the remaining screw rods are appropriatelyinterconnected thereto, for example, by a chain and gear assembly, thusproducing synchronous rotation of all screw rods to provide the desiredwidth adjustment feature.

The present invention may also include a number of other desirablefeatures. For instance, the present invention may include a cuttingmechanism such that sheet metal panel sections may be cut to a desiredlength. Moreover, the frame structure may be mounted on wheels toincrease the mobility of the present invention. Furthermore, the framestructure may be constructed to provide a portable unit which may betaken to a construction site. In this regard, the present invention mayinclude a lift mechanism which may be detachably connected to the framestructure so that the present invention may be effectively maneuvered.Moreover, the present invention may also include a detachable controlunit for controlling panel forming operations, which is particularlyadvantageous when the present invention is used at the constructionsite.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and forfurther advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingDetailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingDrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sheet metal formerof the present invention, having broken away certain portions thereof toillustrate certain interior portions;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sheet metal former of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sheet metal former of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a forming rollerassembly taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a formingroller assembly taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the upper portionof the advancing assembly;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an upper and lower drive rollerassembly taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the chain and sprocket drive systemfor the lower drive rollers taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the widthadjustment assembly taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the chain and sprocket drive systemfor the width adjustment assembly taken along line 10--10 in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a front view of the cutting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, unwanted metal deformationis reduced during formation of interconnectable panels from a roll ofsheet metal such as, for example, galvanized steel. Referring to FIG. 1,a sheet metal former 16 generally includes: a frame 20 which serves as asupport structure for the present invention, a forming assembly 64 whichworks portions of the sheet metal along its two longitudinal edges intoa desired shape, and an advancing assembly 120 for moving the sheetmetal through the forming assembly 64. Since the advancing assembly 120is used to move the sheet metal through the forming assembly 64, theamount of force which the forming assembly 64 exerts on the sheet metalcan be reduced. Consequently, a desirable reduction in the amount ofunwanted metal deformation results in those portions of the sheet metalbeing worked by the forming assembly 64.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the frame 20 is formed by a pair oflaterally displaced top rails 24 and a pair of laterally displaced andsubstantially vertically aligned bottom rails 28. A plurality of crossrails 32 extend substantially horizontally between and are appropriatelyattached to the two top rails 24 and also extend substantiallyhorizontally between and are appropriately attached to the two bottomrails 28. A plurality of side rails 36 extend substantially verticallybetween and are appropriately connected to each pair of vertically aigned top and bottom rails 24, 28. Consequently, the frame 20 formed bythis structure includes a top 40, bottom 44, first and second sides 48,52, and entry and exit ends 56, 60. Although not shown, it is to beunderstood that the frame 20 may be appropriately covered for safetyconsiderations.

The primary function of the forming assembly 64 is to work the twolongitudinal edge portions of a width of sheet metal (not shown) into adesired shape such that the sheet metal panel sections formed therebymay be appropriately interconnected. One embodiment of the formingassembly 64 includes a plurality of rotatable forming roller assemblies68 which are positioned and spaced along first and second slidingsupports or channels 72, 76 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The firstand second sliding channels 72, 76 are laterally displaced within theframe 20 such that a length of sheet metal of a given width may passtherethrough and have its two longitudinal edge portions worked by theplurality of forming roller assemblies 68, which are best illustrated inFIGS. 3-5. The first and second sliding channels 72, 76 are slidablyinterconnected with the frame 20 such that the distance between thelaterally displaced forming roller assemblies 68 may be adjusted toaccommodate for the formation of different widths of sheet metal, aswill be subsequently described in greater detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, each forming roller assembly 68 includes anupper forming roller 80 and a substantially vertically aligned lowerforming roller 84, each of which are preferably formed from a metal of asuitable hardness to be able to effectively work the sheet metal intothe desired shape. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the contours of theupper and lower forming rollers 80, 84 will change along the length ofthe channels 72, 76 so as to gradually work the longitudinal edgeportions of the sheet metal into the desired contour, as is known in theart (i.e., the sheet metal would be worked by the forming rollerassembly 68 of FIG. 4 before being worked by the subsequent formingroller assembly 68 of FIG. 5). Furthermore, the forming rollerassemblies 68 near the exit end 60 of the frame 20 on the first andsecond sliding channels 72, 76 may be vertically adjustable tocompensate for any undesired bending or bowing of the sheet metal panelafter its formation, as is also known in the art. Although not shown, itis to be understood that the assemblies 68 may be removably attached inorder to allow modification of the former 16 to produce alternativelyshaped panels.

When the first and second sliding channels 72, 76 are being used as thesupporting structure, each pair of upper and lower forming rollers 80,84 are directly supported by a forming roller support 88 which extendsvertically downward from and which is appropriately connectable to thefirst or second sliding channel 72, 76. Downward extension of thesupport 88 is necessary so that the components of the width adjustmentof the forming assembly 64 (discussed below) will not interfere with theoperations of other aspects of the present invention. For example, onesuitable method for attaching the plurality of forming roller supports88 along both the first and second s iding channels 72, 76 is to passbolts 92 (FIG. 3) through holes 96 (FIGS. 4-5) in the forming rollersupports 88 and corresponding holes (not shown) in the first and secondsliding channels 72, 76 to which the individual forming roller support88 is attached. Nuts (not shown) may of course then be placed upon thebolts 92 to secure the plurality of forming roller supports 88 to thefirst and second sliding channels 72, 76.

When utilizing the advancing assembly 120, the upper and lower rollers80, 84 are freely rotatable. One alternative for establishing therotatable connection between the upper and lower forming rollers 80, 84and the corresponding forming roller support 88 is illustrated in FIGS.4-5. Reference will only be made herein to the rotatable connection fora single upper forming roller 80 since all such connections will besimilarly made. The upper forming roller 80 has a bore 100 therethroughwhich coincides with its rotational axis. Roller bearings 104 arepositioned on each end of the upper forming roller 80 to support aroller shaft 108 which extends through the bore 100. The roller shaft108 is maintained within the bore 100 by a roller fastener 112, whichabuts the forming roller support 88 and engages one end of the rollershaft 108, and by a roller fastener 113, which abuts a surface of oneroller bearing 104 and engages the opposite end of the roller shaft 108.A spacer 116 separates the upper forming roller 80 from the formingroller support 88. Consequently, based upon this connection, the upperforming roller 80 is able to freely rotate about the roller shaft 108.

In order to facilitate entry of the sheet metal into the formingassembly 64, a pair of vertically aligned and freely rotatable guiderollers 224 may be positioned at the entry end 56 of the frame 20 andappropriately connected thereto, as generally illustrated in FIG. 1.Moreover, an entry guide assembly 316 may be positioned on the first andsecond sliding channels 72, 76 near the entry end 56, as illustrated inFIG. 3. This entry guide assembly 316 may include, for instance, a pairof guide supports 320 which are attached to and extend verticallydownward from both the first and second sliding channels 72, 76 (FIGS.2-3). A number of pairs of vertically aligned and spaced guide pins (notshown) extend within the frame 20 and are attached along the guide crosssupports 328 to further support the sheet metal. These guide crosssupports 328 are positioned between the pairs of guide supports 320 oneach of the first and second sliding channels 72, 76.

Although the forming assembly 64 has been described with reference to aplurality of freely rotatable forming roller assemblies 68, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that various other types of formingdevices may be utilized to achieve the effect of reducing unwanted metaldeformation in the formed regions of the sheet metal since an advancingassembly 120, not the forming assembly 64, is used to transfer the sheetmetal through the forming assembly 64. Consequently, the formingassembly 64 may, for instance, comprise arcuately-shaped surfaces (notshown) between which the sheet metal would pass to be progressivelyworked into the desired configuration.

The utilization of an advancing assembly 120 to move the sheet metalallows for a reduction in the amount of forces exerted on the sheetmetal by the forming assembly 64, thereby reducing the amount ofunwanted metal deformation in the sheet metal. As can be appreciated, itis preferable to position the advancing assembly 120 substantiallycentrally between the above described laterally displaced portions ofthe forming assembly 64 and substantially centrally about a longitudinalaxis 17 of the frame 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Thisparticular orientation of the advancing assembly 120 reduces thepotential for the development of steering problems when the sheet metalpasses through the forming assembly 64 (i.e., the potential for thelongitudinal axis of the sheet metal becoming skewed relative to thelongitudinal axis 17 of the frame 20).

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-2 and more particularly to 6-8, oneembodiment of the advancing assembly 120 generally includes a pluralityof drive roller assemblies 124 which are spaced along an axis of theframe 20, and are again preferably centrally positioned about thecentral longitudinal axis 17. The drive roller assemblies 12 include apair of laterally displaced upper drive rollers 128 which aresubstantially vertically aligned with a pair of laterally displacedlower drive rollers 132 (see FIG. 1). Rotation of the upper and lowerdrive rollers 128, 132 in a manner described below advances the sheetmetal through the forming assembly 64 by essentially drawing th sheetmetal within the frame 20. As can be appreciated, other combinations ofupper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 may be used, such as, forinstance, only a single upper drive roller and only a verticallydisplaced single lower drive roller (not shown).

The upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 are positioned along upperand lower drive roller supports 136, 164, respectively, which extendalong the axis 17 of the frame 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6and 7. Referring to FIG. 7, the upper drive roller support 136 isattached to the top 40 of the frame 20 by a plurality of upper channelextensions 144. More particularly, an upper channel extension 144 isattached to and extends downwardly from a sufficient number of the crossrails 32 to adequately support the upper drive roller support 136. Anextension plate 148, attached to the end of these upper channelextensions 144, connects to a support plate 152 which is appropriatelyattached to the upper drive roller support 136. A plurality of supportplates 152 are spaced along the upper drive roller support 136 insubstantial vertical alignment with the extension plates 148.Consequently, the extension and support plates 148, 152 areappropriately connected, such as by utilizing bolts 156 and nuts 160.The lower drive roller support 164 is similarly connected to the bottom44 of the frame 20 by a plurality of lower channel extensions 168 whichextend upwardly from the cross rails 32 positioned on the bottom 44 ofthe frame 20.

The upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 are rotatably supported bythe upper and lower drive roller supports 136, 164, respectively, in asimilar manner and therefore reference will only be made to a singlepair of upper, laterally displaced, drive rollers 128. Referring to FIG.6, a bore 172 extends through the upper drive roller 128 which thereforecoincides with its rotational axis. Positioned within this bore 172 is adrive roller shaft 176 which extends through horizontally aligned rollerbearings 180 suitably positioned in the uppe drive roller support I36(FIG. 7). This drive roller shaft 176 then extends through the bore 172in the laterally displaced upper drive roller 128. The shaft 176 ismaintained in its position by appropriate fasteners 178. Consequently,each pair of laterally displaced upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132will synchronously rotate when driven in the manner described below.

The upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 are driven by single motor184 which is only generally illustrated in FIG. 1, although it can beappreciated that each pair of upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 maybe individually driven by an appropriate source. Referring to FIGS. 6-7,an upper drive shaft 188 and a lower drive shaft 192 effectively engagea single pair of laterally displaced upper and lower drive rollers 128,132, respectively. The upper and lower drive shafts 188, 192 aresupported on one end by bearings 196 positioned on a side rail 36 of thefirst side 48 of the frame 20 and are supported on the opposite ends bythe upper and lower drive roller supports 136, 164 through therespective upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132. A main drive sprocket200 is fixedly attached to the lower drive shaft 192 such that a chain(not shown) ma be positioned therearound to be rotatably driven by themotor 184 which is powered by a power source 183 (see FIG. 1). Alsoattached to the lower drive shaft 192 is gear 204 which engages withgear 208 attached to the upper drive shaft 188. When the main drivesprocket 200 is rotated by the motor 184 via a chain (not shown), boththe upper and lower drive shafts 188, 192 are synchronously rotated inthe desired manner to draw the sheet metal between the upper and lowerdrive rollers 128, 132 through their respective rotations.

The remaining upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 are rotated in thedesired manner by being interconnected to the upper and lower driveshafts 188, 192 as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8. A sprocket 212 isfixedly attached to the drive roller shafts 176 between the downwardlyextending portions of the respective upper and lower drive rollersupports 136, 164. A chain 216 extends around these sprockets 212 suchthat all of the upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 areinterconnected. A plurality of guide sprockets 220 may also be requiredto maintain sufficient tension in the chain 216. Consequently, when themotor 184 drives the main drive sprocket 200, the upper and lower driveshafts 188, 192 are rotated in the desired manner which in turn rotatesthe sprockets 212 on the drive roller shafts 176 to synchronously rotateall of the upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132.

The primary advantage in utilizing the advancing assembly 120 is areduction in the amount of unwanted deformation in the sheet metalproduced by the use of a driven forming assembly 64 as in the prior art.In order to reduce the potential for the advancing assembly 120 itselfinducing undesirable deformation of the sheet metal, the upper and lowerdrive rollers 128, 132 are preferably provided with a cover 134 ofpliable or elastomeric material, such as, for example, rubber orpolyurethane. The interior portion 126 of each upper and lower driverollers 128-132 may be formed from a suitable metal. Consequently, thevertical spacing between the upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 maybe minimal to allow sufficient frictional engagement with the sheetmetal for advancement through the forming assembly 64 without causingdamage thereto. Moreover, although the vertical spacing is small, thecover 134 itself will deform rather than the sheet metal for a varietyof thicknesses.

In operation, the sheet metal (not shown) is positioned between thefirst drive roller assembly 124 on the entry end 56 of the frame 20. Aspreviously discussed, guide rollers 224 (FIG. 1) and an entry guideassembly 316 (FIGS. 2-3) may be used to further support the sheet metalwithin the frame 20. After the sheet metal is properly positioned, themotor 184 may be engaged to initiate the advancing assembly 120. Themotor 184 drives the main drive sprocket 200 (FIG. 7) via a chain (notshown) which in turn synchronously rotates the upper and lower driveshafts 188, 192 to rotate the upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132 inthe above-described manner. As the sheet metal is advanced within theframe 20 by the upper and lower drive rollers 128, 132, the formingassembly 64 gradually works the longitudinal edge portions of the sheetmetal into the desired configuration.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the distance thelaterally displaced portions of the forming assembly 64 may be adjustedsuch that different widths of sheet metal may be used. As generallydiscussed above, one embodiment of the forming assembly 64 is aplurality of freely rotatable forming roller assemblies 68 which arerotatably attached to the first and second sliding channels 72, 76.However, it can be appreciated that it is not necessary to utilizefreely rotatable forming roller assemblies 68. Instead, the upper andlower forming rollers 80, 84 may be driven as is known in the art toadvance the sheet metal. However, preferably, the width adjustmentassembly 228 is used in combination with the above-described formingassembly 64 and advancing assembly 120 to provide a plurality ofdesirable features.

One embodiment of a width adjustment assembly 228 is generallyillustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and more particularly in FIG. 9. A screw rod232 having a first portion 236 and a second portion 240 is threadablyengaged with the first and second sliding channels 72, 76, respectively.The ends of the first and second portions 236, 240 of the screw rod 232are supported by a bearing 244 positioned in extensions 248 which areappropriately attached to each top rail 24. Additional support isprovided in the central region of the screw rod 232 by an extension 252which is appropriately attached to a cross rail connector 256. The crossrail connector 256 is positioned between adjacent cross rails 32 as bestillustrated in FIG. 2. A support 254 is positioned on the end of theextension 252 to engage and support the screw rod 236.

In order to offer further support for the first and second slidingchannels 72, 76, pillow blocks 260 may be appropriately attached to thefirst and second sliding channels 72, 76. The pillow blocks 260 are thenslidably engaged with a slide rod 264 which extends laterally across theframe 20 in substantial vertical alignment with the screw rod 232. Theslide rod 264 is also centrally supported by the extension 252. When thescrew rod 232 is rotated in a first direction by turning the ratchethandl 268 (FIG. 1), the first and second sliding channels 72, 76 aredrawn inwardly as indicated by arrows 233 along the screw rod 232 andthe pillow blocks 260 appropriately slide on the slide rod 264. When thescrew rod 232 is rotated in an opposite direction, the first and secondsliding channels 72, 76 are forced outwardly as indicated by arrows 235along the screw rod 232 and the pillow blocks 260 appropriately slide onthe slide rod 264. Consequently, the laterally displaced portions of theforming assembly 64 are substantially equally adjusted without affectingthe support of such laterally displaced portions.

Although only a single screw rod 232 is actually needed to adjust thewidth of the laterally displaced portions of the forming assembly 64,when the first and second sliding channels 72, 76 are of a certainlength, equalized movement thereof may be somewhat difficult utilizingonly a single screw rod 232. Consequently, a plurality of screw rods 232are spaced along the first and second sliding channels 72, 76 as bestillustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Each of these screw rods 232 may of course beindividually rotated by an appropriate mechanism. However, as can beappreciated, the screw rods 232 should be rotated at the same time andin the same amount to avoid any binding or misalignment of the first andsecond sliding channels 72, 76. Therefore, the present invention alsoprovides for interconnection of these scre rods 232.

Referring to FIG. 10, sprockets 272 may be positioned near an end of thescrew rods 232 such that a chain 276 may be positioned therearound. Anumber of sprockets 274 may also be required to maintain proper tensionin the chain 276. Rotation of only one of the screw rods 232 by thehandle 268 will thus produce synchronous rotation of all screw rods 232to uniformly adjust the distance between the first and second slidingchannels 72, 76.

A cutting assembly 280 may be positioned near the exit end 60 of theframe 20 as generally illustrated in FIG. 11. The cutting assembly 280generally includes a blade 284, appropriately attached to a bladesupport 286. The blade 284 is driven downwardly by hydraulic cylinders282 to cut the sheet metal after being appropriately formed by theforming assembly 64, as is known in the art. The cutting action isassisted by the passing of the blade 284 through a shearing plate 290.Since the sheet metal has been formed into the desired configurationwhen this cutting action takes place, the blade 284 and the shearingplate 290 may have portions which approximate the configuration of thepanel so as to reduce the affect thereof o the shaped edges of thepanels.

For purposes of controlling operation of the present invention, adetachable control 288 is also provided as shown in FIG. 1. The control288 may control the motor 184, and thus the rotation of the upper andlower drive rollers 128, 132, and may also control the cutting assembly280. The control 288 is detachable to facilitate safe operation of theformer 16 when used in remote locations.

Another desirable feature of the present invention is its portability.For instance, a trailer (not shown) may be provided for transporting theformer 16 to remote sites Moreover, a lifting mechanism (not shown) maybe used to engage the trailer and/or the former 16.

Although the present invention has been with respect to specificembodiments thereof, various changes and modifications may be suggestedto one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present inventionencompass such changes and modifications as follows in the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for shaping a length of sheet metalhaving first and second longitudinal edges, comprising:a frame structurehaving a central, longitudinal axis; first and second longitudinalsupport means interconnected with and laterally movable relative to saidframe structure, wherein said first and second longitudinal supportmeans are positioned on opposite sides of said central, longitudinalaxis and are substantially equidistant from and parallel to saidcentral, longitudinal axis; a plurality of first working means forprogressively working a first portion of the sheet metal substantiallyadjacent to the first longitudinal edge, said plurality of first workingmeans being longitudinally spaced along and connected to said firstlongitudinal support means; a plurality of second working means forprogressively working a second portion of the sheet metal substantiallyadjacent to the second longitudinal edge, said plurality of secondworking means being longitudinally spaced along and connected to saidsecond longitudinal support means; advancing means, positioned betweensaid first and second longitudinal support means about said central,longitudinal axis and interconnected with and supported by said framestructure, for advancing the sheet metal by said plurality of first andsecond working means to progressively work the first and secondportions, respectively, of the sheet metal, said advancing meanscomprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive roller assemblies,wherein each said drive roller assembly comprises at leastone upperdrive roller and at least one lower drive roller for engaging the sheetmetal therebetween; at least two means for adjusting a lateral distancebetween said first and second longitudinal support means to therebyadjust a lateral distance between said first working means and saidsecond working means, wherein said first and second longitudinal supportmeans remain substantially equidistant from and parallel to saidcentral, longitudinal axis during and after lateral movement of saidfirst and second longitudinal support means by said means for adjusting,and wherein each said means for adjusting is interconnected with saidfirst and second longitudinal support means, said at least two means foradjusting being longitudinally spaced; and means for supporting saidfirst and second longitudinal support means from said frame structure atleast at two longitudinally spaced locations, said means for supportingaccommodating lateral movement of said first and second longitudinalsupport means relative to said frame strcuture by said means foradjusting and being separate from said means for adjusting.
 2. Anapparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second workingmeans each comprises freely rotatable working roller assemblies.
 3. Anapparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said working rollerassembly includes vertically spaced and freely rotatable first andsecond working rollers.
 4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, whereinsaid working roller assemblies of said first working means arepositioned along said first longitudinal support means and wherein saidworking roller assemblies of said second working means are positionedalong said second longitudinal support means.
 5. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second longitudinal supportmeans are slidable relative to said frame strcuture.
 6. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each said means for adjusting comprisesscrew rod means having a first portion threadably engagable with saidfirst longitudinal support means and a second portion threadablyengagable with said second longitudinal support means.
 7. An apparatus,as claimed in claim 6, further including driving means for rotating eachsaid screw rod means in a first direction and a second direction,wherein rotation in said first direction forces said first and secondlongitudinal support means toward said advancing means and rotation insaid second direction forces said first and second longitudinal supportmeans away from said advancing means.
 8. An apparatus, as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said screw rod means are synchronously interconnectedby a chain and gear assembly.
 9. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 8,wherein a driving means directly rotates one of said screw rod means andsaid remaining screw rod means are rotated by said chain and gearassembly.
 10. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidadvancing means is interconnected with motor means.
 11. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each said drive roller assembly furtherincludes a pair of laterally displaced upper drive rollers and a pair oflaterally displaced lower drive rollers.
 12. An apparatus, as claimed inclaim 11, wherein each said pair of laterally displaced upper driverollers are substantially vertically aligned with a corresponding pairof said laterally displaced lower drive rollers.
 13. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one upper and lower driveroller of said drive roller assemblies each include an elastomeric coverwhich engages the sheet metal.
 14. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1,wherein said plurality of upper drive rollers are interconnected by afirst chain and gear assembly and wherein said plurality of lower driverollers are interconnected by a second chain and gear assembly.
 15. Anapparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein a motor means rotates one ofsaid at least one upper drive roller of one of said drive rollerassemblies and said upper drive rollers of said remaining drive rollerassemblies are rotated by said first chain and gear assembly, andwherein said motor means rotates one of said at least one lower driveroller of one of said drive roller assemblies and said lower driverollers of said remaining drive roller assemblies are rotated by saidsecond chain and gear assembly.
 16. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1,wherein said plurality of drive roller assemblies are rotatably drivenby motor means.
 17. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 16, wherein saidat least one upper and lower drive rollers for each said drive rollerassembly are substantially vertically aligned.
 18. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 16, wherein each of said drive roller assembliesincludes a pair of upper, laterally displaced, drive rollers which aresubstantially vertically aligned with a pair of lower, laterallydisplaced, drive rollers.
 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16,wherein a portion of said drive roller assemblies comprises anelastomeric material for engaging the sheet metal.
 20. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 16, wherein a first portion of each said drive rollerassembly is interconnected by a first chain and gear assembly andwherein a second portion of each said drive roller assembly isinterconnected by a second chain and gear assembly.
 21. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 1, further including cutting means positioned on saidframe structure for cutting a predetermined length of the sheet metal.22. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including a detachablecontrol means for controlling the apparatus.
 23. An apparatus forshaping sheet metal having first and second longitudinal edges,comprising:a frame structure having a central, longitudinal axis; firstand second longitudinal support means slidably interconnected with andlaterally movable relative to said frame structure, wherein said firstand second longitudinal support means are laterally spaced, positionedon opposite sides of said central, longitudinal axis, and aresubstantially equidistant from and parallel to said central,longitudinal axis; a plurality of working means positioned along each ofsaid first and second longitudinal support means for progressivelyworking portions of the sheet metal substantially adjacent to the firstand second longitudinal edges, respectively; at least two screw rodmeans, each having a first portion threadably engagable with said firstlongitudinal support means and a second portion threadably engagablewith said second longitudinal support means, wherein said at least twoscrew rod means are longitudinally spaced; drive means for rotating saidat least two screw rod means in a first and second direction, whereinrotation in said first direction forces said first and secondlongitudinal support means toward each other and relative to said framestructure along said at least two screw rod means to thereby reduce adistance between said working means positioned along said firstlongitudinal support means and said working means positioned along saidsecond longitudinal support means, and wherein rotation in said seconddirection forces said first and second longitudinal support means awayfrom each other relative to said frame structure along said at least twoscrew rod means to thereby increase a distance between said workignmeans positioned along said first longitudinal support means and saidworking means positioned along said second longitudinal support means,whereby said first and second longitudinal support means remainsubstantially equidistant from and parallel to said central,longitudinal axis of said frame structure during and after lateralmovement of said first and second longitudinal support means bys aid atleast two screw rod means and said drive means; advancing means,positioned substantially about said central, longitudinal axis, formoving the sheet metal by said plurality of working means toprogressively work the portions of the sheet metal, said advancing meanscomprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced advancing rollerassemblies, wherein each said advancing roller assembly comprises atleast one upper advancing roller and at least one lower advancing rollerfor engaging the sheet metal therebetween; and a plurality of slidignrod means separate from said at least two screw rod means, wherein eachsaid sliding rod means extends laterally across and is connected to saidframe structure, wherein said plurality of sliding rod means arelongitudinally spaced along said frame structure, wherein said first andsecond longitudinal support means are slidably interconnected with andsupported by said plurality of sliding rod means, and wherein saidplurality of sliding rod means accommodate lateral movement of saidfirst and second longitudinal support means relative to said framestructure by rotation of said at least two screw rod means by said drivemeans.
 24. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein said workingmeans includes a plurality of spaced working roller assembliespositioned along said first and second longitudinal support means. 25.An apparatus, as claimed in claim 24, wherein each said working rollerassembly includes an upper working roller and a substantially verticallyaligned lower working roller.
 26. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 24,wherein said working roller assemblies are freely rotatable.
 27. Anapparatus, as claimed in claim 23, further includign connecting meansinterconnected said at least two screw rod means to allow synchronousrotation of said at least two screw rod means in the same direction. 28.An apparatus, as claimed in claim 27, wherein said connecting means is afirst chain and gear assembly.
 29. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 27,wherein said drive means directly rotates only one of said screw rodmeans.
 30. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein said advancingmeans includes a plurality of alterally dispalced pairs of upperadvancing rollers spaced along and interconnected to said framestructure and a plurality of laterally displaced pairs of loweradvancing rollers spaced along and interconnected to said framestructure.
 31. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein a portionof said advancing means which engages the sheet metal comprises anelastomeric material.
 32. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, furtherincluding cutting means connected to said frame structure to cut thesheet metal stock at a predetermined length.
 33. An apparatus, asclaimed in claim 23, further including control means detachablyconnected to said frame structure for controlling the apparatus.
 34. Anapparatus for forming panel sections from sheet metal stock having firstand second longitudinal edges, comprising:a frame structure having acentral, longitudinal axis; first and second longitudinal support meansinterconnected with and laterally movable relative to said framestructure, wherein said first and second longitudinal support means arelaterally separated, positioned on opposite sides of said central,longitudinal axis, and are substantially equidistant from and parallelto said central, longitudinal axis; a plurality of freely rotatableworking roller assemblies spaced along and connected to said first andsecond longitudinal support means for progressively working portions ofthe sheet metal substantially adjacent to the first and secondlongitudinal edges, respectively; at least two screw rod means, eachhaving a first portion threadably engagable with said first longitudinalsupport means and a second portion threadably engagable with said secondlongitudinal support means, wherein said at least two screw rod meansare longitudinally spaced; drive means for rotating said at least twoscrew rod means in a first and second direction, wherein rotation insaid first direction forces said first and second longitudinal supportmeans toward each other and relative to said frame structure along saidat least two screw rod means to thereby reduce a distance between saidworking roller assemblies positioned along said first longitudinalsupport means and said working roller assemblies positioned along saidsecond longitudinal support means, and wherein rotation in said seconddirection forces said first and second longitudinal support means awayfrom each other along said at least two screw rod means to therebyincrease a distance between said working roller assemblies positionedalong said first longitudinal support means and said working rollerassemblies positioned along said second longitudianl support means,whereby said first and second longitudinal support means remainsubstantially equidistant from and parallel to said central,longitudinal axis of said frame structure during and after lateralmovement of said first and second longitudinal support means by said atleast two screw rod means and said drive means; a power sourceassociated with said frame structure; a plurality of driving rollerassemblies, connected to said power source and said frame structure, andpositioned about said central, longitudinal axis of said framestructure, for advancing the sheet metal stock through said workingroller assemblies, said driving roller assemblies being longitudinallyspaced and each said driving roller assembly comprising at least oneupper driving roller and at least one lower driving roller for engagingthe sheet metal stock therebetween; means for supporting said first andsecond longitudinal support means from said frame structure at least attwo longitudinally spaced locations, said means for supportingaccommodating laterla movement of said first and second longitudinalsupport means relative to said frame structure by said at least twoscrew rod means and said drive means and being separate from said atleast two screw rod means; and cutting means, connected to said framestructure, for cutting a predetermined length of the sheet metal stock.